England's reply was less than confidence building, with Essex batsman Alastair Cook being clean bowled by Mitchell Johnson for just 3.

Alastair Cook is bowled by Mitchell Johnson. Credit: PA

However, Michael Carberry and Joe Root steadied the ship to some extent to guide England to 35-1 at the close of the play, but which ever way you look at it, Cook and his team now have a mountain to climb to save this Test and perhaps the series.

England are facing an uphill struggle to save the first Ashes Test. Credit: PA

England are facing an uphill struggle to save the first Ashes Test after a disastrous batting collapse resulted in them being bowled out for 136.

Mitchell Johnson in particular terrorised the English batsmen, taking 4-61 in an inspired spell of bowling as England struggled in the Brisbane heat.

Michael Carberry top-scored for the tourists, hitting 40, but apart from that there was little resistance.

Ryan Harris celebrates dismissing Alastair Cook. Credit: PA

Essex star and England captain Alastair Cook could only make 13 at the top of the order, but England still looked set for a decent total with the scoreboard at 82-2.

However, in a phenomenal turnaround, England lost six wickets for just nine runs with Johnson and Ryan Harris causing mayhem.

It could have been even worse had Stuart Broad not registered a battling 32 to temporarily halt the slide, but England found soon found themselves on the back foot again, this time with the ball, as Australia got off to an ominous start in their second innings to reach 65-0 at the close of play.

It means that England already face a deficit of 224 runs with three days left to play with the need for quick Australian wickets on day three an obvious necessity.